"We will shut down petrol pumps and stop plying lorries if our demands are not met by two weeks through discussion," said Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul, secretary general of Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers Association (BPDA), at a press conference jointly organised by BPDA and Bangladesh Tank-lorry Owners Association at the National Press Club.

The demands include compensation for handling loss of petroleum products and rationalising commission for dealers, raising the lorry fees attuned to the petroleum price hike and deployment of more forces at pumps.

The petroleum dealers and lorry owners pointed their fingers at the big shots of oil companies for petroleum adulteration.

"We are not responsible for petroleum adulteration rather the adulteration is done at the oil depots and main oil sources," Syed Sajjad said.

He demanded a high-powered inspection committee to look into the activities at shipping tankers and depots with the representatives from respective associations and oil companies.

Syed Sajjadul said the government should examine the standard of petroleum at the main sources as well as at the depots without accusing the dealers only.

Among others, Abdur Rahman, president of the BPDA, Shajada Anwarul Kadir, senior vice-president, and Mahbubur Rahman Chowdhury Mantu of Bangladesh Tank-lorry Owners Association were present at the conference.